UPA discriminating against opposition states: Narendra Modi

Hitting out at UPA government for acting as "big brother" and discriminating against states ruled by opposition parties, Narendra Modi today said that if BJP comes to power, the Centre would work with all states for the country's development.

Speaking at a rally here, the Gujarat Chief Minister said he understood the "pain" felt by Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan due to the Centre's attitude.

"The Centre has a big brotherly attitude towards states, which would not do. We are all equals, our government would bring this culture and take all Chief Ministers along for the country's development," he said.

Modi said the Congress first seeks support from the people and then cheats them.

"The Congress first shakes your hand, then it scares you by raising its hand and then it indulges in sleight of hand," he said.

He said since Independence many governments have come and gone but this is the first time that people have seen such magnitude of corruption.

Taking up the issue of price rise, Modi said it was strange that no Congress leader was willing to talk about rising prices.

"The Congress is irresponsible because the party and its leaders do not say a word about rising prices and corruption," he said.

The UPA had come to power in 2009 as the people had voted for it thinking that it would fulfil its promise of reducing rising prices within 100 days, he said, and asked people whether the prices had actually come down? Modi said time had come to make his dream of a "Congress free India" a reality.

In his speech, Modi made attempts to woo the tribals of the area, saying the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government had done much for their welfare.

"The welfare of tribals, education, employment and health security for them will be the priority of the BJP. India can progress only when all its parts progress together," he said.

He also lavished praise on Chauhan, saying he has made a place for himself in the hearts of the poor with his work.